RUMOR: BMW Working On A Hybrid Sports Car? Could It Be A New 8-Series?

BMW planning to go after Audi's eTron? You better believe it.

In the internet rumormill, Autozeitung is reporting that BMW is in the planning stages for what will be a car essentially based on the Vision EfficientDynamics. Said to have the current V10 in the M5/M6 supported by two electric motors, the powerplant is rumored to produce upwards of 600-horsepower.

While we tend to agree that BMW's show cars usually show themselves in future products in one way or another -- remember the X Coupe Concept? Bears some resemblance to the X6, no? **Note its proportions and stance -- I think some of the facts are a bit distorted with this story.

For example, why use the current generation M5/6 V10 when the newly developed motor in the X5/6M and upcoming M5/6 is that glorious twin-turbo'd V8?

Regardless, are you buying this or is it merely hearsay?


According to the German magazine Autozeitung, BMW is planning an extreme super sports cars with hybrid drive and 600hp. The technical basis is ready, but the developers are waiting for the green light from management. The new supercar is expected to be revealed by the spring of 2013.

The new model, rumoured to be called the M8, will be based on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept unveiled at the IAA 2009. Compared to the concept, the upcoming car will be five inches longer, 1.24 meters high, 1.90 meters wide, and will feature a 2+2 configuration...

[Source: GTspirit]








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Yonder7 - 6/25/2010 10:46:46 AM

+2 Boost

Something to face the SLS may be?...hopefuly.

dlin - 6/25/2010 2:18:52 PM

+1 Boost

Not that BMW cannot do it technical-wise, but it has never been in the high-end market. That said, lots of cars beat SLS badly in my opinion, from performance, design, to value.

B7FAN - 6/25/2010 11:34:40 AM

+2 Boost

I Hope I REALLY HOPE ITS AN 8 SERIES sports coupe to rival the merc CL550,63,and 65. I love the CL one of my top 3 cars I would own but use to love the 8 series back in the 90's also. thats one model that needs to really be reconsidered which they havent since 1997 which was the last year for that coupe in the US and it was still sold in europe until 1999. If they can revive the 8 series I think it would have alot of CL owners thinking if BMW will do it right. BUT A BOY CAN DREAM RIGHT.

JRobUSC - 6/25/2010 12:11:13 PM

+2 Boost

I can't imagine they'd use the V10, since hybridizing that would merely upgrade the fuel economy from "abysmal" to "terrible". The twin turbo V8 already gets fuel economy that would be on par with a hybrid version of the V10 and produces similar power, and without the huge weight penalty of a hybrid system. And they already have a hybrid version of the twin turbo V8 in the 7-Series that outperforms the regular version of the car. Turn up the power on that and stick it in a car that weighs 3500-3800lbs instead of 5000lbs and you'd have an absolute beast.

Yonder7 - 6/25/2010 2:41:23 PM

+4 Boost

In fact I am waiting for something like the First M1. dlin: I disagree with partialy. BMW can do it. The real question is if it would profitable at the current economic BMW status. One M1 based in the one of the picture could be awesome. Regarding the SLS, I am MB fan but I am very disapointed with the design itself, and the performance is just average, not as good as de SLR...but for the price is a bargain compared to the SLR.

1BadMan - 6/25/2010 7:57:49 PM

+1 Boost

It is true that the board approved a sports car with hybrid technology. And that was around 4 years ago. It will not be an 8 Series. That suffix will be left in the past. The S85 V10 will not be used. As a company they are moving from large displacement engine in favor of smaller mills with turbo/twin turbo power. It will be a twin-turbo V-8 or 4-cyl with parallel hybrid tech. BMW has traditionally not done well with cars north of $100,000. The E52 Z8 notwithstanding as they projected sales of 4,000 and built 5,703 units. But they know where the core customer is for them.